AMES -- Every time Rocco Becht delivers a heartfelt postgame pep talk to his current and soon-to-be former teammates, one thought crosses his mind.
Can it please be the last time?
"(I plan to) continue to build my leadership and continue to keep their heads up," said Iowa State's sophomore quarterback, who seeks to lead his 18th-ranked team (10-3) to a win in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. Pop-Tarts Bowl (ABC) against No. 13 Miami (10-2) in Orlando. "I don't want to do that again. So hopefully I don't have to this upcoming game, and hopefully we can all walk off the field (happy)."
Becht's tunnel-based projects of uplift and consolation came on the heels of a 45-19 Big 12 title game loss to No. 12 Arizona State two weeks ago in Arlington, Texas, and a 36-26 setback to Memphis in last season's Liberty Bowl. His message on both occasions? The best is yet to come.
"He's a leader amongst leaders," said senior captain and first-team All-Big 12 wide receiver Jaylin Noel. "He's always gonna be a guy (who's) the last guy on the field for his teammates and making sure everybody's OK."
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Becht's arm -- as well as his legs -- will help determine if ISU can leave Camping World Stadium with a win for the first time in three trips to this particular bowl game. The Cyclones lost, 33-9, to Notre Dame in the formerly-named Camping World Bowl in 2019. They then fell to Clemson, 20-13, in the now-defunct Cheez-It Bowl in 2021 at the same site.
So third time's the charm? Maybe, as another ultra-processed food serves as the title sponsor.
"There's nothing I wouldn't do to play for this team and play for my brothers," said senior safety and captain Beau Freyler, who emerged as a budding star in this game three years ago. "So no matter what pain and adversity I'm facing, I'm gonna do everything I can to play on that field for the betterment of the team -- and I know that's the mindset of other dudes on the team, as well. So it's not just me (who's) going through it."
Freyler's been playing through a litany of bumps adds bruises his entire career, and battling injuries has emerged as an unwelcome theme for the Cyclones in this history making season. Standout linebacker Caleb Bacon suffered what increasingly appears to be a season-ending injury in ISU's season opener, and several other linebackers -- as well as star tight end Ben Brahmer -- have missed significant time because of injuries.
True freshman linebacker Cael Brezina could be back to face the fast and high-scoring Hurricanes, but Brahmer may remain sidelined, which further shines the spotlight on Noel and fellow 1,000-yard receiver Jayden Higgins, who will need to compile big numbers against a vulnerable Miami defense that's allowed six receptions to span 50-plus yards, which is tied for 107th nationally.
"Those guys are crazy competitive," the Cyclones' first-year offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said of Noel and Higgins. "They want to win football games, so they're gonna ... do everything they can to help us win. They're so driven and the leadership that they have -- we haven't had a better leader on offense, in my opinion, than Jaylin Noel. What that guy's done for our football program, our offense, for me personally, it's invaluable.
"It's gonna be hard for me to watch him not be around here, because he's such an awesome guy to be around. So just what they provide for there offense, what he provides; he talks to those guys after every practice. He's an emotional leader. Behind the scenes, he does it all."
So Becht's following in Noel's footsteps -- and neither wants to do anything other than celebrate after what they hope becomes ISU's sixth bowl win in program history.
A chance for a bite at the human-sized Pop Tart awaits.
"I'm excited," said Becht, a native Floridan who's thrown 22 touchdowns to nine interceptions this season. "I'm stoked. Having good weather, especially being in my home state -- it's gonna be fun to play in against (this) Miami team."